Are there any requirements to walk the Camino de Santiago?

To qualify, pilgrims must have traveled at least 62 miles by foot or horseback, or biked at least 124 miles, from any starting point. Along the way, pilgrims must collect at least two certification stamps each day in their Credencial del Peregrino. The accredited passport for pilgrims serves as proof of their passage.



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The Camino is doable for just about anyone; it all depends on your fitness level and the route you are taking.

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You can still get your camino credential booklet if you don't register. But, if you don't register then your walk will not be logged at the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago. This will mean that you cannot get the certificate.

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And it is that preparation and training are essential for all pilgrims who decide to do the Camino, even for those who are used to walking or doing moderate physical activity. Taking a walk is not the same as walking for many hours without resting.

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We recommend starting your Camino training at least three months in advance, with the aim of walking three 1 hour sessions a week. A month before your trip, even earlier if you can, put a day walk in each weekend into the mix to build the endurance you'll need for your walk.

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Total Trip Costs Most pilgrim budgets fall in the $30-60 (€25-50) per day range, meaning a 30-day walk would cost $900-1800 (€750-1500). If you don't already have hiking gear, new gear could easily cost $300-600 (€250-500) if you need to get new footwear, backpack and sleeping bag.

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Public bathrooms are not frequent on the Camino de Santiago. But, cafes, restaurants and bars are frequent, you may find one or two during the day, and these all have bathrooms that customers can use.

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There are some who travel the Camino without any physical preparation, and they get through it and reach the tomb of St James in Santiago de Compostela. You will have, however, a far more pleasant experience if you do some hill-walking or aerobic exercise in the months before going on the Camino!

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Albergues (Pilgrim Hostels) The system of pilgrim hostels (known in Spanish as “albergues”) are a unique feature of the camino, especially the Camino Francés, which allow pilgrims to sleep in dormitory-style accommodations for arou d €8-20 per night.

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I lost about 8kgs, around 18 lbs, over a four week period. So yes, I did lose a lot of weight on the Camino. However, losing weight was never one of my reasons for walking the Camino. I did not set out on the Camino to lose weight, and I must admit that it never entered my mind at any time while I was there.

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Daily distances on the Camino de Santiago are between 20 km and 25 km. The average walking speed of an adult is 5 km/3 mi per hour. If you walk at that pace it'll take you 4 to 5 hours of walking per day.

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Training for walking the Camino is an absolute must, even for those who consider it on the easier side of hiking. Between 5 and 10% of people walking the Camino drop out and injuries account for by far the most frequent reasons.

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People of all ages walk the Camino de Santiago! The average age of walkers is probably closer to 60 than it is to 20!

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Many pilgrims do not speak Spanish or Portuguese. You will likely hear a lot of German, Italian and other European languages. While it is not necessary to be fluent in local languages to walk the Camino, locals will appreciate it if you learn a few key phrases and make an effort to greet people in their native tongue.

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